WINTER ’17-’18

Softball Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE Recap Spring Season Page 2

Meet the Returning Colonels Page 3

Holiday Card Page 6

Camps Pages 7

Where Are They Now? Page 8

Hall of Fame Announcement Page 9

Schedule Come watch us play! Page 10

Alumni Appreciation Day/ Batgirl Spots Open Page 11 WINTER ’17-’18 WINTER ’17-’18

2017 SEASON RECAP RETURNING PLAYERS

The 2017 season was a year of many amazing plays, wins and accomplishments! Beginning the #19 CAITLIN #34 CELINE season with the most successful start in program history, Wilkes returned from Myrtle Beach BROWN PODLESNEY with a 7-1 record. Our success didn’t stop there. After a win against cross-town rival Kings, Wilkes Position: P/UTL Position: P/UTL Major: Psychology Major: Psychology clinched a berth in the MAC Freedom Conference Tournament for the first time since 2008. After Class Year: 2019 Class Year: 2020 being picked 7th in the conference in a pre-season poll, the Colonels worked and played hard Caitlin Brown comes to Wilkes from Celine Podlesney joins Wilkes from to finish the season in second place. Many of our players received recognition for their athletic Glen Cove, NY, where she played Hazle Twp., Pa. where she played performances throughout the season, with three MAC Freedoms Player of the Week selections, for Glen Cove High School. There for Hazleton High School and the three ECAC Corvais Division III North Player of the Week selections and two NFCA Selected she received Team MVP Honors Stripes & Strikes travel organization. and was given All-County Division I Playing for Hazleton, she won her Top Performances. Recognition did not stop there, with eight players being selected to All-MAC honors after an outstanding senior district, reached the semi-finals of the Freedom teams. The Wilkes Colonels hope to continue their trajectory of success into the 2018 season. Once at Wilkes, she made state tournament and was selected an immediate impact by batting .292 her freshman season and .352 First Team All-State, Second Team All-Region Northeast, Wyoming season, starting the season off again in Myrtle Beach! her sophomore season. This led to her selection on the All-MAC First Valley Conference First Team and MVP as a senior. In her freshman Team after her sophomore season. Her accomplishments didn’t stop campaign at Wilkes she led the team with a .387 batting average and on the field, with Caitlin also being the Vice President of the Nursing had a 2.02 ERA in 107.2 innings. Off the field she was inducted into Go Colonels! Student Organization and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and was on the Dean’s List Committee. both semesters.

#44 CHRISTINA #8 ERIKA GERACE GAMBINO Position: P/UTL Major: Position: P/UTL Nursing Class Year: Major: Psychology 2020 Class Year: 2018 Erika Gerace joined Wilkes from Christina Gambino comes to Wilkes Schuylkill Haven, Pa., where she from Basking Ridge, NJ, where she played for Blue Mountain High School played for Ridge High School and and the NEPA Black Widows travel the Jersey Fusion travel organization. organization. Erika helped Blue While playing for Ridge she batted Mountain to three district playoffs over .400 throughout her high school and earned Republic Herald All-Area career and received the 2014 Raritan Honorable Mention as a senior. During Valley UNICO Brian Piccolo Award for scholar athletes. In her years her freshman year at Wilkes, Erika scored the go-ahead run against at Wilkes she has played in over 100 games and has a career batting Kings to secure Wilkes’ first conference tournament berth since 2008. average of .310 and received All-MAC Honorable Mention last season. Outside of athletics, Erika stays involved in nursing program and Off the field Tina is heavily involved in research and preparing for recently received her white coat. masters level programs in athletic training. WINTER ’17-’18 WINTER ’17-’18

RETURNING PLAYERS RETURNING PLAYERS

#4 GRACEN #11 HALEY WELKER #23 SARAH #22 SARAH GIBSON STAUNTON Position: UTL BIRCHMEIER Position: UTL Major: Major: Position: P/UTL Middle Level Education Position: UTL Nursing Class Year: Class Year: Major: Psychology 2019 Major: Education and Spanish 2020 Class Year: 2020 Class Year: 2018 Haley Welker came to Wilkes from Sarah Gibson joins Wilkes from Chico, Gracen Staunton joins the Colonels Nazareth, Pa., where she played Sarah Birchmeier comes to Wilkes Ca., where she played for Pleasant from Kernersville, NC, where she played for Nazareth High School. While at from Cherry Hill, NJ, where she played Valley High School and the Chico for Northwest Guilford High School, Nazareth she was selected Third Team for Cherry Hill East High School. At Starz, NorCal Mavericks, Team TFS Yak Fastpitch Travel, Firecrackers All-Area by Morning Call, received the Cherry Hill East, Birchmeier received Stiggy’s Travel Organizations. At NC Travel and NC Bandits Travel Kyle Miller Courage Award in 2015 and the Coach’s Award three times and Pleasant Valley, she was a four year organizations. While at Northwest was a member of the National Honors was on the academic honor roll for CIF Northern Section champion, Guilford, she won four conference Society. Since being at Wilkes, she has every semester. At Wilkes, she has league champion her freshman, championships, was named conference Pitcher of the Year twice, and batted .346 over two seasons and was named to the 2017 All-MAC had a career batting average of .310, was a two time NFCA Academic sophomore and junior seasons and a CIF Northern Section All-Star. In a three time North Carolina 4A All-State Honoree. Once she traveled Freedom Conference First Team. After being named to the Dean’s List All-America Scholar, and two time Second Team All-MAC Freedom. her freshman year at Wilkes, Sarah hit .358 in 38 game appearances up north to Wilkes she had a successful freshman year, being named for each of her college semesters, Haley was named an 2016 NFCA Off the field, Sarah works exceptionally hard to attain two degrees in and was also named to All-MAC Freedom Second Team. to the All-MAC Freedom First Team and selected Honorable Mention All-American and placed on the MAC Academic Honor Roll both years. Education and Spanish. All-ECAC Division III North. Off the field, Gracen is working to become She was also inducted into the international education honors society, an occupational therapist. Kappa Delta Pi, and inducted into Alpha Chi Honors Society which recognizes the top 10% of each class. She also received the Marla Hosie Memorial Award.

#32 KALIYAH #13 MIA LUSSIER MOORE Position: OF Major: Position: UTL Pharmacy Class Year: Major: Nursing 2018 Class Year: 2020 Mia Lussier hails from Somerset, Ma., Kaliyah Moore joins us from where she attended Somerset Berkley Williamsport, Pa., where she played for High School. There she graduated in Williamsport Area High School. While the top 10 of her class and received the at Williamsport, she went to district UPENN book award as a junior. Once at championships all four years, an All- Wilkes, Mia served as an experienced State Honorable Mention as a junior pinch runner while also receiving and First Team Central Penn League as various academic awards including a senior. She was also a National Honors Society Member. At Wilkes being inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, chosen for her freshman year, Kaliyah was selected All-MAC Freedom Honorable the MAC Academic Honor Roll twice. This year marked her first year in Mention after hitting .346 with 11 RBIs. She was also selected MAC pharmacy school after three years of rigorous work. Academic Honor Roll after completing her first year of the nursing program. She received her white coat this fall. WINTER ’17-’18 WINTER ’17-’18

HOLIDAY CARD CAMPS

In preparation for the wonderful We had three wonderful camps so far this holiday season, the Wilkes year! Our Columbus Day Pitching Camp, team took to campus Halloween Defense and Hitting Camp to take some holiday pictures and our most recent All Skills Camp all for our annual holiday card! We used our beautiful surroundings had great players of all ages showing (statues, buildings and even and improving their talents! The Wilkes trees were included!) to get the players really enjoyed being able to teach perfect picture to capture our these younger players everything they team’s personality. This year, the have learned. Overall, it was a wonderful picture we decided to choose experience for everyone! was in between the pillars that look towards the new art gallery and the McHale Athletic Center! We sent a card to each alum in our database. If you did not receive one, please let us know so we can update your address. WINTER ’17-’18 WINTER ’17-’18

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Laurie Agresti ’07 What is your favorite memory of Wilkes Softball? I have many; however, our team earning the Freedom conference championship in Why did you choose to attend ? 2006 and surpassing the 1,000-strikeout mark during my senior year represent a I chose to attend Wilkes University because of its size and proximity to family. It was few of my favorite memories. important to me to attend a school where my family could continue to support both my athletic and academic pursuits. What is the most valuable information you learned while you were in school at Wilkes University? What was your intended career path before graduating from Wilkes University? Positive mentoring, persistent individual effort and dedication to team concept Did you end up where you thought you would? equals success. My intention was to become a Certified Public Accountant. Yes, since graduating from Wilkes I passed the CPA exam and currently work as the Internal Audit Manager at the Please share something about your life after Wilkes. Employees BenefitT rust Fund. Family? Kids? Significant other? Travels? Etc. I met my husband while attending Wilkes. We married on What degree(s) did you earn from Wilkes University? September 21, 2013, and welcomed our first child, a daughter, on October 20, 2017. Bachelor of Science in Accounting

How did your education and athletic experience enhance or change your college experience? My college experience was enhanced by the mentoring environment fostered by the professors at Wilkes. I was fortunate to have been taught by faculty members who had a vested interest in my personal success. They provided me with the professional and leadership skills needed to make a successful transition into the workforce. My academic achievements and time on the softball field remain the highlight of my college experience. HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT What piece of advice would you give to student/athletes attending Wilkes University? Agresti not only dominated at the conference and regional level, but her Your time at Wilkes represents a small but pivotal chapter of your performance in the circle remains a legacy at the national level to this life. Find your passion and pursue it. Have fun but work hard. day. Agresti finished her career as one of the greatest strikeout pitchers Celebrate your triumphs and learn from your mistakes. in the country in NCAA Division III. She currently ranks sixth in the entire NCAA (I, II and III) in strikeouts per seven innings (second in Div. What did/do you enjoy about Wilkes Softball? III) at 12.40. Her 1,040 career strikeouts remains in the top 15 in Division The camaraderie with my teammates and coaches. Also, I still III. Agresti was a four-time First Team All-Middle Atlantic Conference enjoy returning to Ralston Complex to watch softball games. selection and earned Pitcher of the Year honors all four years at Wilkes. She also was named All-Region and All-American every year for her How has your athletic experience at Wilkes impacted your professional life? play in the circle. Agresti led the nation in strikeouts in 2004 and 2005 My success as an athlete was the direct result of self-discipline, determination and a strong support system. and finished second in 2006 and 2007 including a career-high 20 These same attributes have led to professional achievements such as passing the CPA exam and obtaining a strikeouts against cross-town rival King’s during her rookie season. position in management. WINTER ’17-’18 WINTER ’17-’18

2018 SCHEDULE ALUMNI APPRECIATION DAY Hopefully you have already marked your calendar but in case you have not, on April 21, 2018 we are In case you were wondering when you could “join us” this season, hosting Alumni Appreciation Day. All of our amazing alumni and their families are invited to attend. here is our spring 2018 schedule! We will be serving food and beverages (non-alcoholic, of course) after the second game. This event MARCH will be held together with our home doubleheader against Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham. 3 Saturday Wilkes @ Shenandoah 10 a.m. 12 p.m. The first game starts at 1 p.m., with recognition of attending alumni in between games. We hope many of you can attend and we will be sending more specific information out to all alumni soon! 3-11 Snowbird Tournament Myrtle Beach, SC (8 games) TBD 15 Thursday Penn College @ Wilkes 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 17 Saturday Eastern @ Wilkes* 1 p.m. 3 p.m. 20 Tuesday Wilkes @ Lycoming 3 p.m. 5 p.m. 23 Friday SUNY Potsdam @ Wilkes 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 24 Saturday Wilkes @ Misericordia* 1 p.m. 3 p.m. 29 Thursday Wilkes @ Delaware Valley* 3 p.m. 5 p.m.

APRIL 5 Thursday Wilkes @ Marywood 3 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 Saturday Kings @ Wilkes* 1 p.m. 3 p.m. CALLING ALL FUTURE COLONELS! 10 Tuesday Wilkes @ Keystone 3 p.m. 5 p.m. We would like to invite any young softball players interested in being a batgirl to join us for a 14 Saturday Wilkes @ Manhattanville* 1 p.m. 3 p.m. doubleheader this season. We will have spots for two batgirls per game. If you have a daughter, niece 17 Tuesday Clarks Summit @ Wilkes 6 p.m. 8 p.m. or any young athlete you think would like to be part of the game let us know! It would be a great experience for them to be in the dugout, meet the team and be a part of a college game. The dates for 19 Thursday Wilkes @ Susquehanna 3 p.m. 5 p.m. all of our home games are listed in the schedule on page 10 of this newsletter. We have already filled 21 Saturday FDU @ Wilkes* 1 p.m. 3 p.m. several spots so please let us know as soon as you can! 24 Tuesday Scranton @ Wilkes 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 28 Saturday Wilkes @ DeSales* 1 p.m. 3 p.m. CONTACT US MAY 570-408-4031 www.facebook.com/sarah.maulorico.5 4-6 Freedom Conference Championships @ Wilkes [email protected] @WilkesSoftball * indicates Freedom Conference games Visit us on the web at Italicized indicates home game www.gowilkesu.com @Wilkes_Softball